“It’s not about the tools. It’s about the skills”Silvia Rosenthal – www.langwitches.org

A no-cost alternative to videoconferencing

Communicating & collaborating with skype

How educators are using skype with students

• Example 1

• Example 2

• Example 3

How educators use skype with other educators

• Statewide REMC group meetings and group work (Skype with Google Docs)

• Conference call with multiple sites (talk, share documents and chat at the same time)

What do you need to skype with others?

The Basics:•Computer with webcam•Broadband connection•Skype software (free download from skype.com)•Skype account•desktop microphone and earphones, or headset•Contacts in your Skype account list

Hands-on afternoon session

Planning

Implementing

Assessing

Planning for skype in the classroom

•Check with your technology director: Is Skype is blocked? Can you download the software? Ask about bandwidth limitations. Any policy concerns?•How does it tie into your SIP and/or tech plan?

Next steps:•Find others for collaborative projects (check with wiki for various project ideas and sites)•Time challenges – connecting with others, checking time zones, setting up even within your scheduled class

( http://aroundtheworldwith80schools.wikispaces.com/Time+Zones )•Pre-event discussions – how does this tie into the classroom topic? What will students do during the event? have students pre-write questions•Management issues

( http://murcha.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/using-skype-in-education/ ) (http://aroundtheworldwith80schools.wikispaces.com/During%20Skype%20Calls )

Other considerations

• Always keep a phone handy in case you connect with the other person or are having difficulties connecting• Designate students with certain tasks prior to the

event and during the event

implementation

Pre-activities

During the event

• For interviews: Have students lined up in order to ask questions. Remind them to take notes or designate note takers.• Have students collect necessary information for

the assignment.• For presentations or sharing: Have students hold

artifacts in front of the camera or stand in front of the camera to talk.

assessing

• How will you assess what the students have learned after the event?• Have they learned something that could not have

been taught via a textbook? • What was the engagement and motivational level of

your students? • What worked? • What didn’t?• What would you do different next time?

Assessing – ask student (orally or in writing)

• What did you learn from our skype call? • What part of the skype session did you like the best?

WHY was that your favorite part? • What did you learn that you could not have learned

without Skype?• What do you know now that you didn't know before

skyping?• How is a asking or being asked a question on Skype

different than being asked or asking a question in the classroom?

• Is there anything you would do differently next time?

Great resource for planning to assessing - http://langwitches.org/blog/2010/11/20/assessment-of-learning-via-skype/

Some example of using skype

• Sype an author after reading a book• Conduct collaborative research with students in another

part of the nation or world• Practice communication with another language or

culture• Ask questions of experts or community resource people• Conduct parent conferences• Provide mentoring or homework help• Read, present or perform to a remote audience• Collaborate with other teachers (peer work, school

improvement planning)• Other ideas?

Project ideas/resoruces

• Skype an Author Network - http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/• Great list of resources – http://edts523ransom.wikispaces.com/Skype • ITL Wayne RESA wikihttp://itl-wcresa.wikispaces.com/

Hands-on skype

1. Create a skype account if you don’t have one already.

2. Pair up with another person (or two) to do a demo skype call.

3. Share ideas of how you would like to use skype with the other group that you are skyping with.